Li Shiji

Li Shiji (594-31 December 669) was a general of the Tang dynasty of China. He served in Emperor Gaozu of Tang's unification of China and in his son Emperor Taizong of Tang's wars with the Gokturks and Goguryeo, dying a year after his conquest of Goguryeo.

Biography
Xu Shiji was born in Dongming County, Shandong to a family of landed gentry, and he joined Zhai Rang's rebellion against Emperor Yang of Sui in 616 before joining Li Mi's uprising. After Li Mi submitted to the Tang dynasty, Xu Shiji joined him in submission, after which Emperor Gaozu of Tang rewarded him with the family name of "Li", adopting him into the ruling family. He served as one of Gaozu's generals during his unification of China before serving his son, Emperor Taizong of Tang during his wars with the Turkic peoples of Central Asia. Li Shiji was rewarded with the rank of Chancellor, and he was given command of the 200,000-strong army sent by Emperor Taizong to invade Goguryeo in 645 AD. In 668, his army destroyed Goguryeo, and he died a year later.